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NTSB Report
October 22, 1988 · Schempp-Hirth Discus-B · N321SB
Whitwell, TN
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 22, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Whitwell, TN
Aircraft
Schempp-Hirth Discus-B
Tail Number
N321SB
Operator
Steven L Bair
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL89LA016
THE PLT RPRTD THAT THERMAL LIFT DETERIORATED DRG THE RETURN LEG OF A X-COUNTRY FLT & HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF APRT LNDG IN A HAY FIELD. AS HE WAS ON FINAL APCH ON A WESTERLY HDG, HE SAW A PREVIOUSLY UNDETECTED POWER LINE ACROSS THE FIELD, WHICH REQD A RAPID DSCNT (USING SPOILERS) TO AVOID A COLLISION. HOWEVER, DRG THE EVASIVE MANEUVER, THE GLIDER CONTACTED UNEVEN TERRAIN & WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DAMAGED. THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE SUN & TREES OBSCURED THE POWER LINE. ALSO, HE STATED THAT IF THE APCH HAD BEEN TO THE EAST, HE WOULD HAVE SEEN THE POWER LINE IN TIME TO MAKE SMOOTHER ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE SHORT LANDING.
Full Narrative
THE PLT RPRTD THAT THERMAL LIFT DETERIORATED DRG THE RETURN LEG OF A X-COUNTRY FLT & HE ELECTED TO MAKE AN OFF APRT LNDG IN A HAY FIELD. AS HE WAS ON FINAL APCH ON A WESTERLY HDG, HE SAW A PREVIOUSLY UNDETECTED POWER LINE ACROSS THE FIELD, WHICH REQD A RAPID DSCNT (USING SPOILERS) TO AVOID A COLLISION. HOWEVER, DRG THE EVASIVE MANEUVER, THE GLIDER CONTACTED UNEVEN TERRAIN & WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DAMAGED. THE PLT RPRTD THAT THE SUN & TREES OBSCURED THE POWER LINE. ALSO, HE STATED THAT IF THE APCH HAD BEEN TO THE EAST, HE WOULD HAVE SEEN THE POWER LINE IN TIME TO MAKE SMOOTHER ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE SHORT LANDING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSchempp-Hirth Discus-B
Tail NumberN321SB
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSteven L Bair
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 8 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO